Merit Badges

Merit Badges

Scouts can earn more than 100 merit badges, including the newest merit badges—Signs, Signals, and Codes and Animation. Earning merit badges gives Scouts the opportunity to participate in activities and study subjects that prepare them for life.

Check out the top ten Eagle and non-Eagle required merit badges below. For information on merit badge requirements and resources, go to Boys’ Life magazine’s Merit Badge Requirements page.

Merit Badge Popularity

The top 10 merit badges required for Eagle rank earned in 2015:

  • First Aid
  • Swimming
  • Cooking
  • Environmental Science
  • Citizenship in the World
  • Citizenship in the Nation
  • Communication
  • Camping
  • Personal Fitness
  • Citizenship in the Community

The top 10 merit badges not required for Eagle rank earned in 2015:

  • Fingerprinting
  • Rifle Shooting
  • Archery
  • Leatherwork
  • Wilderness Survival
  • Wood Carving
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Chess
  • Fishing